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Waste Disposal: Where Does Waste Go?

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When you throw your garbage or yard waste into a dumpster, it can be easy to never think about it again. All of that has to go somewhere, though. But where? There are a few main places your waste is most likely to go, depending on what it is and the waste disposal practices and regulations where you live. Let’s take a look at the main places that waste goes.

Landfills: The Main Form of Waste Disposal in the United States

Landfills are simply disposal sites for waste. Landfill workers carefully contain and monitor waste and waste byproducts in landfills to avoid contaminating groundwater, soil, and the air. Eventually, when landfills are completely full, they shut down. You can think of them as a way to isolate waste from the surrounding environment. In the United States, landfills are where most waste goes.

Recycling Centers

Recycling centers help repurpose items like plastics, glass, paper products, and metals. These centers sort through recyclable items and then compact them into ‘bales’ that can be sent to mills where they are processed into new materials. What is recyclable for you depends on the infrastructure and policies in your area, so always check your local and state practices.

Recycling, while still much less common than landfilling, has become more widely adopted in the past several decades. In 2015, for instance, 67.77 million tons of waste were recycled in the United States, with to 137.7 million tons of waste going to landfills. Compare this to 25 years prior- in 1990, only 29.04 million tons were recycled, with 145.27 million tons being landfilled. Recycling is a preferable alternative to landfilling today, since it means reusing materials as opposed to trying to contain them in a landfill.

Composting

Composting is another of the main ways to deal with waste. Compost facilities use controlled aerobic decomposition to help turn organic waste into a nutrient-rich soil conditioner. Many food scraps and bits of yard waste are compostable. The end product of composting can help grow plants and food. Many people create their own compost, and some communities have composting centers or facilities where community members can drop off organic matter waste. Composting has the benefits of lowering carbon footprints, enriching soil, and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.

Waste Combustion: A Declining Method of Waste Disposal

Combustion is another approach for disposing of waste. Municipal solid waste incinerator facilities burn waste at an extremely high temperature. They then use steam produced from incineration to create energy. However, this process has significant negative impacts on the environment and local communities. They increase pollution in their communities, most of which are lower-income communities of color in the United States. Support for this form of disposal in the US seems to be diminishing, particularly because the remaining facilities in the United States are aging and have old, inefficient technology. But in other parts of the world like Europe, combustion waste management is quickly becoming more accepted. These facilities also have better technology that is potentially safer for the environment and communities.

Moon Dumpsters  makes sure that waste disposal is as environmentally-friendly as possible, with efficient trucks and green disposal practices. To learn more about Moon’s full-service dumpster rentals and get the dumpsters you need, visit our website or call us at 502-414-8028 today!

A green dumpster sitting in front of a house

The Origin of the Dumpster

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The dumpster is a common utility container all around the world. Dumpsters are so commonplace in everyday life that you may have never stopped to think about where they came from. Prior to their invention, waste disposal was a significant hindrance to public health in areas of high population. The dumpster helped solve sanitation issues that many cities faced in the early 20th century by making waste disposal more efficient and less labor-intensive. 

Here’s a look at the origin of the dumpster. 

George Dempster

The story of the dumpster starts with George Dempster in the 1930’s. Dempster owned a construction business with his brothers in Knoxville, Tennessee. His experience with the logistics of transporting waste in the construction business sparked the idea for the dumpster, which he eventually created and patented in 1935.  

Dempster’s design initially involved a pulley system that was mounted to a motorized truck. Containers were raised by pins welded to their sides, and then transported and emptied through a hinged door. Dempster first used this system for his construction business to handle waste. However, as sanitation issues became more and more significant in cities, the Dempster dumpster became a widespread solution. 

The Dumpster as a Sanitation Solution

Prior to the dumpster, waste collection and removal was extremely inefficient. Garbage and debris (particularly in cities) regularly piled up along streets and on sidewalks. Cities required a lot of labor to mitigate this public health hazard. While waste could be hauled away by carriage, and later by the Model T Ford, this still involved a lot of manual labor. Workers had to load and unload garbage by hand. 

The Dempster dumpster allowed sanitary, enclosed storage for waste near places of business and residence, and made it easy to remove waste and return the container quickly. Crucially, the technology reduced the amount of hands-on labor required for sanitation. A single person could now pick up and handle waste collection with a dumpster. In 1937, Nashville, Tennessee became the first city to purchase the dumpster, becoming an early adopter of a technology that is now everywhere. 

Later models of the dumpster evolved for greater efficiency. Dempster improved the initial model by adding hydraulic lifting with chains and pivot arms, outstripping the lifting power of the old model’s cables and pulleys. Post-World War II, Dempster went on to design a single-axle end-dumping container with ten cubic yards of volume. This design, called the Dempster Kolector, allowed trucks to haul the containers behind them for quick collection, emptying, and delivery.  

Dempster created technology related to dumpsters as well. In the 1950’s, Dempster’s company created the Dempster-Dumpmaster, an early model for what we now know as the garbage truck. The front-loading design allowed truck drivers to empty multiple dumpsters in one trip without ever leaving their seats. 

Modern Dumpster Technology

It’s safe to say that Dempster’s inventions have played a huge role in shaping waste collection and sanitation as we know them today. Dumpster designs have changed over the years and there are numerous options on the market. 

Companies like Moon Dumpsters now offer dumpsters ranging from 6 to 40 cubic yards, and roll-off dumpsters and other designs are now common. Moon also makes sure that waste disposal is as environmentally-friendly as possible, with efficient trucks and green disposal practices. To learn more about Moon’s full-service dumpster rentals and get the dumpsters you need, visit our website or call us at 502-414-8028 today!

10 Things You Might Not Think About While Spring Cleaning

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So it’s finally time to tackle that dreaded Spring cleaning. Winter weather has left your home with a tangle of shoes, dusty baseboards, and smudged windows. But where to begin? Here are 10 things you might not think about when doing Spring cleaning.

1. Planning

The best way to make sure you accomplish what you want during your Spring cleaning is to set clear goals and an action plan to accomplish them. What do you want your home to look like when you are done? How do you want to feel when you’ve finished everything? Do you want to do an all-day clean, or break it up over a weekend or even a full month ? These sorts of questions are important to ask before starting on your cleaning. You can even write them down as a reminder of why you are doing a clean and what your big goals are.

2. Making A Task List

From there, you should figure out the exact tasks necessary to meet your goals. You may need to sweep and vacuum multiple floors, clean windows, dust baseboards, and more. Making a task list is a great way to get a sense of the scope of your project.

3. Gathering Supplies

Next up is figuring out if you are prepared for all of the tasks. Make sure you have the cleaning supplies you need- nothing stops a project short like running out of something essential. It can be helpful to get all of your supplies assembled and lined up for ease of access before beginning your clean.

4. Establishing Expectations

Lastly, before you begin, it’s important to figure out how you want the cleaning to go. You might give yourself a short break after every hour of cleaning, or you might just want to get up early and power through until lunch time. Either way, establishing your expectations and setting up your context to support them is crucial. This includes prepping food, drinks, music, and anything else that will help you stay energized as you complete your epic cleaning.

5. Decluttering

You should start your clean with a declutter. Whether this is removing things from tabletops or clearing floorspace, your efforts will be much more efficient if you make space before beginning. You may even use it as an opportunity to reorganize.

6. Cleaning Top To Bottom

Any time you are cleaning a room, it’s important to think about the levels of the room and the order you should clean them. You should clean cobwebs from a ceiling fan before vacuuming the floor. Don’t forget the walls or baseboards either. These are all too easy to overlook on normal cleanings, and may have accumulated a lot of dust and grime.

7. Checking Filters And Alarms

Don’t forget to check the less obvious things. Spring cleaning is a great opportunity to check and replace any filters you may have in an HVAC system. It’s also the perfect time to test fire and carbon monoxide alarms, and replace batteries if needed. By doing these things every Spring, you’ll rest easier all year knowing your air and detectors are optimal.

8. Cleaning Appliances

Appliances need cleaning and care too. Your coffee maker, refrigerator, freezer, oven, microwave, and tea kettle may not get regular cleaning throughout the year. You can tackle all of these forgotten items during your Spring clean.

9. Rethinking Layouts

Spring cleaning is an opportunity to re-think your home’s layout. You don’t have to return everything to it’s previous place while you are cleaning- maybe it’s time to finally slide the couch over or try out a new kitchen arrangement. You may find your new favorite design idea!

10. Cleaning Outdoor Areas

Outdoor spaces require cleaning as well. Your porch, lawn furniture, and even front door should get a once-over during your Spring clean. Even a quick scrub or sweep can do wonders if you haven’t been keeping up with your outdoor areas.

A great Spring cleaning can produce a lot of trash. Moon Dumpsters has dumpsters of all sizes that can fit your project’s needs. To learn more about Moon’s full-service dumpster rentals, visit our website or call us at 502-414-8028 today!

7 Helpful Tips for Cleaning Up Yard Waste and Debris

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Dumpster Rentals from Moon Dumpsters

Moon Dumpsters delivers your dumpster rental to your location and picks it up and disposes of the contents whenever you are finished with your project. Call for more info about our services in Kentucky and Southern, Indiana.

Yard waste and debris can ruin the exterior appearance of your home. It can build up over time and can be challenging to clean up after a while. Regular yard cleaning is an excellent way to maintain your home’s outdoor areas. And if you get organized, you don’t need to sacrifice the entire weekend on this task. Follow along for some helpful cleaning tips that may help you complete this chore efficiently and effectively:

  1. Remove Large Debris First – Remove debris like plastic pans, boxes, paper, bags, toys, etc., first. You can collect all of these items in a bin for more straightforward disposal. Be on the lookout for dangerous objects like sharp tools, nails, pieces of glass, etc. It is especially important to do this after winter because snow cover can hide dangerous debris easily. Remove all tree branches, pinecones, large debris, and big pieces of wood as well. Addressing large waste first ensures you don’t miss smaller items later.
  2. Clean Up Pet Litter – Pet litter is a common sight in backyards, especially after the winter snow melts away. It is a good idea to remove all pet waste and discard of it safely. Don’t use it in compost or add it to the soil. There are safer and more effective ways to restore soil nutrition. Most pet owners have tools to scoop up litter and easily transport it to a garbage bin. They’re easily available at local pet stores or online as well.
  3. Use Biological Matter for Compost – Use small twigs, fallen leaves, flowers, and fruits for composting. You can also include waste from your kitchen in a compost pile. Use a small rake to remove everything from fallen foliage to dead grass before adding them to your compost pile. People who don’t have a compost but are interested in making one can know how to make one can find detailed information online about composting. This process is very beneficial, especially for people who like to maintain smart herb gardens or planters.
  4. Pack Away All Garden Tools – Remove all landscaping and gardening tools from your yard and lock them away safely. Many homeowners forget to store their gardening tools properly after tending to their plants, which can lead to injuries. You need to be especially careful if you have children or pets.
  5. Recycle Everything You Can – Recycle debris wherever possible. Everything from stray plastic bags to leaves and twigs is recyclable. A good recycling center will collect all of these materials and dispose of them according to mandated guidelines. Don’t throw these items in your regular trash bin as many trash collection companies don’t have sound recycling systems in place. Some companies won’t even pick up trash with landscape or backyard debris.
  6. Turn Twigs, Leaves, and Plants into Mulch – You can turn twigs, branches, and dead plants into mulch. A wood shredder can turn this debris into mulch for landscaping and gardening. Mulch adds a layer of protection around a plant’s roots, helps the soil retain moisture, and protects the delicate roots from the weather conditions, which contributes towards overall tree health. Wood chip mulch is good for planters, herb gardens, trees, and bushes but isn’t suitable for grass. Make sure you use the right kind of mulch during landscaping.
  7. Use a Professional Dumpster Service to Make Yard Clean Up Easier – If you have a large yard or a yard with a lot of debris, you might benefit from renting a dumpster to make your clean up experience easier.  Moon Dumpsters, for example, offers units for rent in many different dumpsters sizes ranging from 6 cubic yards to 40 cubic yards. Delivered straight to your door, and picked up and disposed of whenever you are ready, a dumpster rental can take a lot of the hassle out of yard cleaning.

All of these tips detailed above will help you maintain your yard easily, without wasting too much time on the process. Landscaping experts recommend a thorough cleaning during early spring as it can help grass and plants grow without problems.

dumpster rentals in lexington kentucky

Dumpster Rentals in Lexington Kentucky

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With a population of 321,951 Lexington, Kentucky is most famously known as the horse capital of the world. Businesses like UPS, Amazon, and Toyota Manufacturing are some of the largest operators and employers within the city. Known for it’s history, bourbon and horses, Lexington is also a popular college town. The University of Kentucky is just one of 15 colleges and vocational programs in the area.

Moon Dumpsters is locally owned and operated out of Lexington, Kentucky and offers the largest selection of roll off dumpsters on the market. With 7 different sizes to choose from, Moon Dumpsters is the best option for dumpster rentals in Lexington Kentucky. All of Moon’s dumpsters are lightweight and can be easily maneuvered within tight spaces. Sizes range from 6 yards to 40 and are suitable for both residential and commercial applications such as:

  • Commercial Recycling
  • Construction Sites
  • Demolitions
  • Manufacturing Facilities
  • Renovations
  • Clean Outs 

Residential Dumpsters

Moon’s dumpsters are the ideal solution for those undergoing a major home clean out or renovation. Our 6, 9, 12, 16 and 20 cubic yard dumpsters are just the right size to hold debris from any kitchen and bathroom remodel or DIY project. For those moving a relative out or making a move themselves, Moon Dumpsters is an affordable option that will help get the job done quickly. Finally cleaning out the garage or basement? Don’t let the extra debris pile up as you wait for weekly pick up.

When you rent from Moon you won’t be the eye sore of the neighborhood. We deliver clean and properly maintained dumpsters that are driveway safe. Upon delivery, each dumpster is placed on boards for optimal surface protection. When you’re ready to have it picked up, just call us and we will promptly haul away both the dumpster and trash from your residence so you don’t have to load up your personal vehicle and make multiple trips to the landfill.

Commercial Dumpsters

The right sized dumpster is an integral part to keeping any work site safe and clean. Whether you’re a residential contractor or on a major job site, Moon’s dumpsters are durable enough to handle the job. We offer short term and long term contracts and will haul away roofing or fencing material leftover from a demolition. Our commercial dumpsters are also a great fit for those looking to simplify their recycling efforts or streamline their company’s waste. With 30 and 40 cubic yard options, no task or need is too big!

When it comes to dumpster rentals in Lexington Kentucky, we offer unbeatable prices and customer service. To reserve a dumpster for your next project, call Moon Dumpsters at 502-443-1638.